Cruise Line Secrets & Deals

6 Reasons Why a Cruise is Such a Fine Budget Vacation

A cruise ship vacation can provide a great, one price vacation. One of the fantastic and main attractions for booking a cruise is that just about everything is included in the price.

When many people think about a discount vacation, they picture a traveler in a small cramped up hotel room eating stale sandwiches and riding around on buses. However, one of the best ways to save money on a vacation is also one of the most luxurious and most thrilling – taking a cruise vacation!

High Quality Food

A cruise offers a cheap place to stay and unlimited food with high quality buffets. On some ships, they are even open 24 hours a day. The food on a cruise ship is of great quality too!

Traveling Off-Season

It is often possible to save money cruising by traveling in the off-season. This can can often be a great plan. For example, even though it is winter time and most people aren’t thinking about a vacation, you might be. Often times you can score a great deal leaving during the winter time. Look to leave from New York City in the winter months. There’ll be plenty of discounts sometimes up to 50% off. A lot of people don’t like leaving from somewhere cold. Also many families don’t go at this time because their children are in school. It is important, however to check out the local weather, and to avoid the rainy season in the destinations you are considering. Steering clear of hurricanes, tropical downpours and other weather problems can help you get the most out of your cruise ship.

Cabins

If you have never taken a cruise ship before, it is a good idea to get advice from someone who has experienced cruising. These people can give valuable insight on the best balance of cost and comfort for your first cruise ship vacation. The cabin’s location is another important consideration when booking a cruise ship. The interior cabins on the lower parts of the ship are generally the least costly, while the higher, larger cabins with ocean views are the most expensive.

Discounts and Cheap Cruise Ship Deals

It is not always necessary to shop early, of course. Cruise ship lines have been known to offer some fantastic discounts at the last minute in order to move unsold cabins or avoid leaving with a less than full passenger load. There are many last minute travel newsletters that provide details on these types of cruise ship deals, and these last minute travel deals are a big hit with retirees and others who have plenty of free time.

Food and Gym

After eating too much food at the buffet, you will probably feel the need to work out. Many newer cruise ships have a full gym consisting of a weight room, treadmills, elliptical trainers, etc. While many hotels tack on a surcharge for the use of their hotel gym, a gym on a cruise ship is usually included in the price.

Onboard Ship Entertainment

The cost of a cruise vacation also includes all onboard entertainment and classes. The entertainment options of a cruise ship are often one of the best parts of the experience. Many cruise lines offer casinos, night clubs, spas, and movie theaters.

Among the things that are not included in the typical cruise vacation are alcoholic beverages and shore excursions. Many of the higher priced cruises can included these though. Some cruise lines offer an alcohol package as well for around $400 for the full week for all you can great. If the shore excursions and drinks are not included on your ship, make sure to get a price list before you book.

You can usually save money on shore excursions by booking the tours locally at portside. If you book through the ship, it is generally more expensive. When booking the excursion yourself, just make sure you leave yourself with enough time to get back on the ship.

After reading these above reasons, you’ll see that a cruise vacation can be among the best, and most economical, of all vacation opportunities.

Compare Cruise Ship Insurance

When planning any type of vacation with your family, the last thing you want to think about is trouble or any type of cancellation. Cruise and travel insurance is often left on the back burner. However, when the time comes to purchase your cruise insurance, be sure that you compare the cruise and travel insurance companies’ policies to ensure that you are getting what you expect. As always, it’s “buyer beware”! and most of the times you get what you pay for.

That’s not to say that all insurance policies and companies are out to deceive you. Most of these companies are very reputable. The problem however becomes trying to save your money while buying the insurance itself. You really do “get what you pay for” in most cases – especially when you compare insurance policies.

There are often so many variables when purchasing cruise insurance or travel insurance that we can become somewhat complacent with what we are purchasing. Make sure you know what’s available and what’s included in your insurance policy package. For example, the insurance companies Travel Guard International, which is America’s largest provider of travel insurance offers a wide range of benefits with their Comprehensive Coverage. Included in Travel Guard’s packages are the following benefits:

· Trip Cancellation – Providing reimbursement of 100% of trip cost if the trip is cancelled under the terms of the insurance policy. · Trip interruption – Providing reimbursement of trip cost if the trip is interrupted as covered by the insurance policy such as evacuation due to hurricane. · Trip Delay – Providing reimbursement for additional accommodations or travel expenses if the traveler is delayed for more than several hours. · Lost, Stolen or Damaged Baggage and travel documents – Providing reimbursements if luggage is lost, damaged or stolen while the insured is traveling, or if travel documents are lost or stolen. · Baggage Delay – Providing reimbursement for the purchase of essential items if your bags are delayed more than 24 hours. · Medical Expenses – Providing reimbursement for necessary medical expenses up to one year after the illness or injury providing the insured traveler sought medical treatment while on the trip. · Emergency Medical Transportation – Covering the cost of evacuation and transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility. · Travel Guard Assistance – A 24 hour hotline for emergency assistance, medical referrals, prescription replacement assistance, replacing travel documents and more. · Livetravel – Travel Guard’s round the clock travel agent service for emergency or last minute travel changes such as rebooking flights, arranging hotels and ground transportation and tracking lost luggage. · Concierge – 24 hour worldwide access to restaurant referrals/reservations, event tickets, tee times, floral services, ground transportation and more.

The package above describes a comprehensive cruise or travel insurance policy. However, this package might cost too much for you. You need to match your coverage requirements as well as keep your budget in mind. Again, using Travel Guard International as an example, some of their popular products include:

We hope this article helps explain what cruise ship insurance is. Now that you have some info on cruise ship insurance, you just have to pick where you want to go, pick your cruise ship, find a deal, and then consider if you want to buy cruise ship insurance. We hope you’re excited for your upcoming cruise vacation! Comment below on where you’re going and if you usually buy vacation insurance.

Best Cruise Secrets eBook

Ex Cruise Ship Officer David Kirkland has published a brand new eBook that reveals the best cruise secrets that will save people a great deal of money when they book their next cruise. This cruise ship eBook brings all the tips that expose the best ways to save money and enjoy a quality cruise at a much lower price. David Kirkland was a 3 stripe officer for ten years. He wants cruise lovers to learn all the tricks and tips for reducing the cost of their cruise vacation while not reducing the quality of the cruise.

Some of the insider cruise tips you will learn:

The key to avoiding the most critical mistake that almost 99% of cruise ship passengers end up making

The 2 vital rules that will make sure you are treated like royalty by every crew member on the ship

6 little know methods that will allow you to CRUISE FOR FREE for the rest of your life

Instantly slash the cost of your spa and salon treatments by 50%

Secrets about the cruises’ shore line excursion programs…hint: don’t book the excursion from the cruise ship itself

A master cruise packing list that will tell you every item that you need to bring with you

How to save on every activity and tour

A trick that will get you a beautiful bouquet of flowers in your cabin everyday for FREE

How to get on a ship’s loyalty program before even taking a cruise

A loophole in the cruise line’s casino programs

How to save a fortune when you buy your jewelry & souvenirs on the ship